TPMDC Lobbying
Agriculture Department
Congress: Pizza Still Officially A Vegetable
Herman Cain would be so proud.
The final version of the House and Senate's agriculture spending bill bucks recommendations by the Department of Agriculture to try to make school lunches healthier. The bill counts pizza sauce as a vegetable -- as it is now -- and resists efforts by the Agriculture Department to limit servings of starchy vegetables and sodium restrictions.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Agriculture Department, Food Industry, Lobbying
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
In Afghanistan, Boehner Assails U.S. Pullout Plan
AFP reports: "US House Speaker John Boehner wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan Wednesday and assailed President Barack Obama's plan to begin pulling US troops out in July a risk to fragile security gains.'Any drawdown of US troops must be based on the conditions on the ground, not on political calculations,' Boehner, the White House's top Republican foe in the US Congress, said in a statement from his office in Washington."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks to a DNC event in San Francisco at 12:40 p.m. ET. He will depart from San Francisco at 1:35 p.m. ET, arriving at 2:30 p.m. ET in Reno, Nevada. At 2:50 p.m. ET, he will participate in a "Shared Responsibility and Shared Prosperity" town hall. He will depart from Reno at 4:30 p.m. ET, arriving at 5:45 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, California. He will deliver remarks at a DNC event at 9:55 p.m. ET, and deliver remarks at another DNC event at 10:50 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2012 elections, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Debt Ceiling, Eric Cantor, Immigration, John Boehner, Judicial nominees, K Street, Lobbying, Roundup
Ginni Thomas
The Daily Caller Hires Tea Partying Wife Of Supreme Court Justice As 'Special Correspondent'
Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Ginni Thomas, the tea party leader, health care reform foe, and controversial wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, will join The Daily Caller as a reporter.
From Business Wire: "As The Daily Caller's special correspondent, Thomas will interview key political and community leaders -- from high-profile politicians to grassroots activists -- with a focus on listening to those outside the Beltway."
Thomas is no stranger to the spotlight. She worked in 2010 to defeat Democrats, and her role as a de facto tea party, anti-health care reform lobbyist have led critics to demand that her husband recuse himself when the health care law appears before the Supreme Court.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Clarence Thomas, Daily Caller, Ginni Thomas, Health Care, Health care lawsuits, Lobbying, Tea Party
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
$350,000 Goal Is Set For Obama Re-election Donors
The New York Times reports: "The top contributors to President Obama's re-election campaign were given an ambitious set of marching orders on Thursday, with an elite group of 450 donors each asked to raise $350,000 this year to help finance what is likely to be the most expensive political race in the nation's history...The amount is more than twice what top Democrats were asked to raise four years ago, several participants of the meeting said, and the donors could be given an even bigger goal next year."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Then at 10:55 a.m. ET, he will be interviewed by WSOC Charlotte, WSVN Miami and WPVI Philadelphia, to preview his trip to Latin America. Later, the First Family will depart from the White House at 10:15 p.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 10:35 p.m. ET, en route to Brasilia, Brazil.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Citizens United, David Petraeus, Fundraising, Joe Biden, Lobbying, Robert Gates, Roundup
Libya
K Street Firm Explains Why It Lobbied for Libya Then Abruptly Cut Ties
Fmr. Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA)
Former Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA) severed his firm's lobbying contract with the Qaddafi-controlled government of Libya in the fall of 2009, after Qaddafi's son welcomed the individual convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 back to his home country as a conquering hero.
"Saif Qaddafi gave him a really public greeting broadcast around the world to welcome him home as a hero of the state -- that was just too much," Livingston told TPM in a telephone interview.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Bob Livingston, Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, House of Representatives, Libya, Lobbying, Muammar Qaddafi, Protests, Saif Al Islam Al Qaddafi, Senate, Trade
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama To Name Intel CEO To White House Jobs Panel
Reuters reports: " Intel Corp Chief Executive Paul Otellini will be named to a panel of experts advising President Barack Obama on jobs, the White House said on Friday. Otellini will join the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, created in January to focus on lifting hiring and promoting growth. General Electric Co Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt was named last month to lead the new outside board advising the White House on economic policy. Other members of the Council will be named in the coming weeks, the White House said."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is beginning his day in California. He will depart from San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. ET, arriving at 1:05 p.m. ET in Portland, Oregon. He will tour the Intel Corporation semiconductor manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, at 1:45 p.m. ET. At 2:25 p.m. ET he will view student demonstrations by Intel Science Talent Search finalists, and he will deliver remarks on education at 2:35 p.m. ET. He will depart from Portland at 4 p.m. ET, arriving at 8:30 p.m. ET at Andrews Air Force Base, and back at the White House at 8:45 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Continuing Resolution, Education, Jay Carney, K Street, Lobbying, Pres '12, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Change Tugs At US-China Ties Ahead Of Hu Visit
AFP reports: "China's President Hu Jintao visits the United States this week at a time of flux and stress in Sino-US ties, with America weakened by crisis and Beijing flexing a new range of powers. While US President Barack Obama will lay on the pageantry of a state visit after Hu arrives on Tuesday, tensions on human rights, currency rates and North Korea, as well as military mistrust, are wobbling the key relationship."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. ET, and meet with senior advisers at 10:45 a.m. ET. He will receive the economic daily briefing at 3:20 p.m. ET, and meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. At 6:30 p.m. ET, he will host a private dinner with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Topics: Barack Obama, China, Health Care, Hu Jintao, Joe Biden, K Street, Lobbying, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Unhappy Democrats Say Tax Bill Likely To Pass
The Associated Press reports: "Slowly, painfully and reluctantly, congressional Democrats are slogging their way toward acceptance of President Barack Obama's tax cut compromise, which would let rich and poor Americans keep Bush-era tax cuts that were scheduled to expire this month. After Obama publicly defended the plan for a third day Wednesday, and Vice President Joe Biden met with Democratic lawmakers in the Capitol for a second day, several Democrats predicted the measure will pass, mainly because of extensive Republican support."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Obama will hold a meeting of the President's Export Council at 10:15 a.m. ET. He will meet with senior advisers at 11:05 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET, and receive the economic daily briefing at 2:30 p.m. ET. Obama will meet with Admiral Mike Mullen at 3:35 p.m. ET. The First Family will attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:55 p.m. ET, at which Obama will deliver remarks.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Bush Tax Cuts, Joe Biden, Lobbying, Nuclear nonproliferation, Pres '12, Ralph Nader, Roundup, Tax Cuts, Taxes
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
For Obama, Tax Deal Is A Back-Door Stimulus Plan
The New York Times reports: "Mr. Obama effectively traded tax cuts for the affluent, which Republicans were demanding, for a second stimulus bill that seemed improbable a few weeks ago. Mr. Obama yielded to Republicans on extending the high-end Bush tax cuts and on cutting the estate tax below its scheduled level. In exchange, Republicans agreed to extend unemployment benefits, cut payroll taxes and business taxes, and extend a grab bag of tax credits for college tuition and other items."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will meet at 10:15 a.m. ET with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, and the two will hold an expanded meeting at 10:30 a.m. ET, and then deliver statements to the press and take questions at 11:05 a.m. ET. Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 2:15 p.m. Obama will hold a Cabinet meeting at 3:30 p.m. ET, and meet with senior advisers at 4:50 p.m. ET. He will sign the Claims Resolution Act, providing for the recent settlement with African-American farmers, at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Bush Tax Cuts, Food Safety, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Thune, Lobbying, Pres '12, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
For Democrats, Even 'Safe' Seats Are Shaky
The New York Times: "Republicans are expanding the battle for the House into districts that Democrats had once considered relatively safe, while Democrats began a strategy of triage on Monday to fortify candidates who they believe stand the best chance of survival. As Republicans made new investments in at least 10 races across the country, including two Democratic seats here in eastern Ohio, Democratic leaders took steps to pull out of some races entirely or significantly cut their financial commitment in several districts that the party won in the last two election cycles."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET, will receive the economic daily briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET, and will meet at 11 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will meet at 2:45 p.m. ET with student finalists of the NFTE National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. At 7 p.m. ET, he will host a "Moving America Forward" town hall meeting at George Washington University.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, Blue Dogs, Fundraising, Health Care, Joe Biden, Lobbying, Roundup, Wall Street
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Big Primaries Today
Today is the last big primary day of the 2010 cycle, with major Senate and gubernatorial primaries in Delaware, New Hampshire, New York and Wisconsin, plus other races in Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. Obama will depart from the White House at 11:30 a.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 11:45 a.m. ET, arriving at 12:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At 1 p.m. ET, he will deliver his second annual Back-to-School Speech. He will depart from Philadelphia at 2 p.m. ET, arriving back at Andrews Air Force Base at 2:40 p.m. ET, and at the White House at 2:55 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, House '10, Joe Biden, Lobbying, Nancy Pelosi, Roundup
2010 elections
Dems Tell Nation's Voters: Boehner Speaks For Lobbyists (VIDEO)
New DNC ad targets John Boehner
The Democratic National Committee today is going on television with a second ad pushing general election themes you'll see this November, attempting to define Minority Leader John Boehner as lobbyist-friendly.
"He wants to be Speaker, but we all know who John Boehner really speaks for," the narrator states as the screen flashes: "John Boehner: A Speaker for Big-Time Lobbyists."
The citations in the ad are from this yesterday's New York Times story suggesting Boehner is tight with lobbyists. Boehner's office strongly pushed back on the piece, which ran over the weekend.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, DNC, John Boehner, Lobbying
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama To Take GOP To Task On Economy, Tax Cuts
The Associated Press reports on President Obama's upcoming press conference today: "Striving to gain the upper hand on a crucial political issue, President Barack Obama is faulting Republicans for refusing to help him turn around the sluggish economy or support some proposed new tax breaks for businesses that the GOP has backed in the past. Obama has argued that case many times recently. But on Friday he takes it to an audience of millions, including many who will vote in November's decisive congressional elections, during a nationally televised news conference from the White House East Room."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. ET. He will then meet with senior advisers at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, Austan Goolsbee, Barack Obama, Lobbying, Roundup
Republicans
Top 5 Republican Retro Refrains They'll Sing For Recess
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
For 18 months, Republicans have been torn between their ideological nature, and their need to appear different from the party that ended the Bush era in the crapper. In a sign of just how confident they feel that their electoral fortunes have turned, that tension is seemingly now gone. In the last two weeks, unabashed Republicans have started revealing the details of their governing agenda -- one that will be familiar to those who were alive between 1994 and 2006, and which remains broadly unpopular with voters.
In the words of Mitch McConnell, Republicans feel like they've gotten their groove back. After the jump we run through the top 5 Republican retro-grooves we expect they'll be playing throughout the August recess.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Financial Reform, John Boehner, K Street, Lobbying, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Republicans, Social Security, Tax Cuts, Wall Street
Lobbying
Republicans, K Street Plot Tax Cuts And Deregulation For 2011 (VIDEO)
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)
As promised, House Minority Leader John Boehner, along with Reps. Aaron Schock (R-IL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL), huddled this morning with representatives of the most powerful conservative business and trade groups in the country to field policy ideas and build a legislative agenda ahead of the November elections, when Republicans could retake the House. If what they discussed in any way resembles the coming GOP platform (and, of course, it does), then get ready for more tax cuts and deregulation.
Dan Danner of the National Federation of Independent Businesses spoke up, outraged about "a whole host of new proposed regulations that are going to add costs to...business."
All the invitees, which also included the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and several others, were in broad agreement over steps they hope the government takes if Republicans regain power. Many of them once supported President Obama's stimulus plan, but now want to go back to the way things were.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Aaron Schock, Chamber of Commerce, John Boehner, K Street, Lobbying, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Tax Cuts
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Pelosi Slams Gibbs for 'Politically Inept' House Forecast
CQ reports: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs during Tuesday night's House Democratic Caucus meeting for saying Sunday that Democrats could lose control of the House in November. Several Democratic sources in the room described a testy scenario that started with Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (N.J.) criticizing Gibbs for saying on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that there is 'no doubt there's enough seats in play' to allow for a House GOP takeover in 2012. Things heated up as Pelosi jumped in and blasted Gibbs for making 'politically inept' comments, according to one source."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President received the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET with Senators. At 2:05 p.m. ET, Obama will briefly attend a meeting to discuss the progress made by the Administration's increased cybersecurity efforts. Obama and Biden will meet at 5 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and will meet at 5:40 p.m. ET with the House Democratic leadership.
Topics: 2010 elections, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Donald Berwick, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Joe Biden, K Street, Lobbying, Nancy Pelosi, Oil Spill, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Stimulus
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Dems Shaping Battle Plan Against Republicans For November
The Washington Post reports: "Architects of President Obama's 2008 victory are braced for potentially sizable Democratic losses in November's midterm elections. But they say voters' unease about a GOP takeover will help their party maintain congressional majorities. 'I think the prospect of a Republican takeover -- while not likely, but plausible -- will be very much part of the dynamic in October, and I think that will help us with turnout and some of this enthusiasm gap,' said David Plouffe, who was Obama's campaign manager two years ago and is helping to oversee Democratic efforts this fall. Still, he put all Democrats on notice, saying: 'We'd better act as a party as if the House and the Senate and every major governor's race is at stake and in danger, because they could be.'"
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart the White House at 9:20 a.m. ET, and will make a 9:35 a.m. ET statement to the press on the economy at Andrews Air Force Base. Obama and Vice President Biden will depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 9:50 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:55 a.m. ET in Charleston, West Virginia. Obama and Biden will deliver remarks at an 11:30 a.m. ET memorial service for the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) at the West Virginia State Capitol. They will depart from Charleston at 1:55 p.m. ET, arriving at 3 p.m. ET at Andrews Air Force Base. Obama will then depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 3:05 p.m. ET, en route to Camp David.
Topics: 2010 elections, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Budget, David Petraeus, Lobbying, Mike Simpson, Nancy Pelosi, Roundup, Steny Hoyer, Tony Podesta
Lobbying
J.C. Watts: Former GOP Congressman, Lobbyist, 'Free Money' Pitchman
Former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK)
That "free money" government grants informercial that former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) appeared in in 2007? It was all former Rep. J.C. Watts' idea! At least that's what the Hayworth campaign said Monday.
While it remains unclear exactly what role Watts may have played in recruiting Hayworth to the infomercial cause, Watts has had quite a post-Congressional career as both a pitchman and a lobbyist.
Watts' lobbying clients have included AT&T, the National Installment Lenders Association -- a payday loan trade organization -- the United Keetoowah Band/Cherokee Indians, and others.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: J.C. Watts, J.D. Hayworth, Lobbying, National Grants Conferences
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
BP, Transocean Tap A Well Of Washington Lobbyists And Consultants
The Washington Post reports: "Companies involved in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are hiring a bevy of high-priced Washington lobbyists and consultants to help them weather the crisis, as investigations heat up and calls for policy changes intensify. BP, which has garnered the bulk of public attention and contempt for the spill, has assembled a formidable team of Democrats for its Washington lobbying and public-relations offensive."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at a Father's Day Event at 10:15 a.m. ET. Then at 12:15 p.m. ET, he will host a Father's Day Mentoring Barbeque at the White House. He will receive the economic daily briefing at 3:45 p.m. ET, and will meet with senior advisers at 4:15 p.m. ET.
Topics: 2010 elections, BP, Barack Obama, Budget, Chris Van Hollen, Financial Reform, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Joe Biden, John Spratt, Lobbying, Oil Spill, Roundup
Republicans
While Obama's Away, The Republicans Will Play (With Lobbyists)
Sen. George LeMieux (R-FL)
President Obama was in New York City at noon today, calling on the financial industry to join with politicians in Washington trying to pass banking reform. Meanwhile, back in D.C., a group of Republican Senators was having their own discussions with business types -- but the kind of cooperation they were looking for was somewhat different.
Obama's speech was broadcast live on TV. The Republican meeting, held at the headquarters of the NRSC, was not as open to the press. In fact, an NRSC spokesperson said he didn't know it existed until I emailed him while I was standing outside the building watching a steady stream of Senators and well-heeled guests file in and out. The guests weren't talking either -- they hurried past, refusing to answer a single question about who they were or what they were doing there.
What was the big secret? A fundraiser for Florida Sen. George LeMieux's (R) "Protect America's Future" PAC featuring big name GOP Senators and lobbyists. Why the tight-lipped hustle past three reporters standing out front? Maybe the Republicans were concerned about how it looked. Or maybe they just wanted to get to the buffet.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: George LeMieux, John Cornyn, Lobbying, Republicans, Richard Burr
Lobbying
A Matter Of Influence: Lobbyists And Financial Execs Swarm To DC To Push Against Wall Street Reform
An army of lobbyists and financial professionals is swarming into Washington D.C. this week to push against financial reform.
As The New Republic reports, "some two dozen executives from large corporations will be descending on Capitol Hill today to make the case against over-regulating derivatives." That push is being organized in part by the Chamber of Commerce. And The New York Times reports today that "more than 1,500 lobbyists, executives, bankers and others have made their way to the Senate committee that on Wednesday will take up legislation to rein in derivatives, the complex securities at the heart of the financial crisis, the billion-dollar bank bailouts and the fraud case filed last week against Goldman Sachs."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chamber of Commerce, Financial Reform, John Cornyn, Lobbying, Mitch McConnell
John Ensign
Nevada GOP Congressman: 'Wounded' Ensign Is 'Cause For Concern'
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)
It looks like Nevada Republicans' patience with Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), amid the senator's sex-and-lobbying scandal may be wearing thin.
"The fact we have a wounded junior senator, yeah, it is cause for concern," Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) said in a TV interview.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Dean Heller, Doug Hampton, John Ensign, Lobbying, Sex
Lobbying
Chamber Spent $38.9 Million On Lobbying In Third Quarter
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue
According to reports filed with the Senate, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has spent $38.9 million lobbying Congress and government agencies in the third quarter of this year alone.
That includes the Chamber itself, which spent $34.7 million, and the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform, which spent $4.2 million.
In the entire first half of 2009, by comparison, the Chamber and all of its subsidiaries spent $26.2 million.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chamber of Commerce, Lobbying
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